Celtic scouts take in Belgian top flight clash; Mikael Lustig keen on new Celtic deal and Harry Forrester poised to extend stay at Rangers

Celtic scouts take in Anderlecht’s clash with Genk

SCOUTS from Celtic were seen taking in the recent match in the Belgian Pro-League between Anderlecht and Genk, along with representatives from PSV Eindhoven, Bayer Leverkusen, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolfsburg.

Although a number of players previously on Celtic’s radar were on show, including Filip Djuricic and Kara Mbodj, no hint was given as to who the Hoops officials were casting an eye over.

However, Genk defensive pair Timoty Castagne and Brian Hamalainen could be possibilities along with Anderlecht centre half Bram Nuytinck. (Various)

Lustig happy to wait for Celtic to make move on new deal

MIKAEL Lustig insists he his concentrating on playing football, as talk over a new Celtic deal continues to rumble around Parkhead.

The Swedish defender has one year left on his Celtic contract but has said that he is ‘just focusing on playing for the club’, adding: “Last time I signed a new contract it was Celtic who came to me, so at the moment I’m just sitting quietly in my boat.” (Daily Record)

Forrester poised to sign extension

HARRY Forrester is poised to extend his Ibrox stay, according to Rangers boss Mark Warburton.

Forrester, who had worked with Warburton at both Watford and Brentford before signing for Rangers in January on a short-term deal, has impressed since arriving from Doncaster Rovers.

Warburton told the club’s YouTube channel: “We’re very close to Harry Forrester committing his long-term future to the club.” (Various)

Livi sweat over Twitter gaffe

LIVINGSTON are waiting to hear if they will face action from the SPFL after a Twitterstorm last night.

League bosses rearranged the five final-day Championship fixtures with all matches set to take place on Sunday May 1.

But when a fan asked: “Please tell me the games of others aren’t being moved so Rangers getting the league trophy can be on Sky/BT?” a tweet from the official Livingston account read: “Naturally. 2 tier rules to suit The Rangers #farce.”

The tweet was hastily deleted and both an apology and statement issued in the aftermath by the club. (Various)

Dundee face battle to hang on to Stewart

PAUL Hartley has admitted Dundee could struggle to hold onto striker Greg Stewart over the summer.

Stewart has been linked with a return to Rangers, where he started his career, with Mark Warburton said to be a big fan of the striker.

But Dee boss Hartley admitted: “Do we want to keep him? Of course, we want to keep him. Can we keep him? That’s another scenario.” (Scottish Sun)

Stubbs tells El Alagui to become Hibs hero

ALAN Stubbs has urged Hibs number nine Farid El Alagui to write himself into the history books after recovering from his horror injury.

The striker has been plagued by knee and Achilles problems but came off the bench to score what could be a vital equaliser against St Mirren at the Paisley 2021 stadium.

With El Alagui jostling for a starting place alongside Anthony Stokes, Jason Cummings, Chris Dagnall and James Keatings, Stubbs said: “Farid brings a different element to our game, and it’s something that could come in very useful between now and the end of the season. He’s at a stage now where he could start again.” (Scottish Sun)

ROBBIE Neilson has warned Rangers that they will have to treble their budget and spend millions if they are to have any hope of competing with Celtic.

The Hearts boss, who has led the Jam Tarts to third in the Scottish Premiership in the club’s first season since returning to the top flight, said: “We get judged on how we compete with the rest of the league, but Rangers will get judged on how they compete with Celtic. So if they want to have a go, they have to come out and spend millions in the summer to get to that level right away.

“Rangers’ budget at the moment will be about £7-8 million. Celtic’s will be £24 million, possibly. So if they want to have a go, they have to come out and spend millions in the summer to get to that level right away.” (Various)

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Scott Robertson and Iain Davidson have both signed new deals with Raith Rovers

• Scott Brown has suggested that his critics need to ‘man up’ after he was slammed overa two-footed challenge on Hearts striker Juanma during the 3-1 win at the weekend

• Hearts’ match with Inverness Caledonian Thistle has been postponed tonight after a sickness bug swept through the Tynecastle club’s first team squad